By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has recognized Oak Park as one of 11 California school districts with exemplary wellness policies.

The Oak ParkUnifiedSchool District recently received the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Award. The council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting physical activity statewide, especially among children. The district was cited by the council as promoting good nutrition, regular physical activity and overall wellbeing through innovative and fun programs.

“In Oak Park, we recognize that education of a child means the whole child and that includes the academic, social-emotional and physical well-being of the individual,” said Superintendent Tony Knight.

This is the first year that school districts were given Spotlight awards, “so it’s kind of special that we won this year,” Knight said.

The district received a medal from the governor in a ceremony at the Capitol in Sacramento. The award will rotate among Oak Park’s schools.

To meet state and federal nutrition guidelines, Oak Park overhauled its cafeteria menu over the past several years to offer fewer prepackaged and preserved foods that are high in sodium, saturated fat and calories. Instead students can choose from freshly prepared foods that are hormone, additive and preservativefree with increased quantities of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

In a new partnership with the district, the California Health and LongevityCenter at the Four Seasons Hotel in WestlakeVillage provides recipes for healthy meals and helps the district find vendors that sell suitable food for the cafeteria.

The center has been “sending their chefs and nutritionist staff to our schools to work with our cafeteria staff,” Knight said.

With gardens or greenhouses at two elementary schools and at the middle school, students learn about nutrition and health through handson gardening experiences.

A Wellness Council, comprised of parents, teachers, nutritionists and health professionals, formed in 2005 to develop and monitor nutrition and fitness policies. Speakers and other events that promote well-being are presented to the community. A documentary was shown recently which described how the planting of corn using chemical fertilizers affects the commercial food chain.

All students must participate in physical fitness classes through the 10th grade. At the middle school students develop their own fitness plans using heart-rate monitors and TriFit fitness assessment machines to follow their progress. Special fitness events districtwide include the American Heart Association’s HoopsforHeart basketball fundraiser, jogathons and walk-to-school days.

“Our state PE test results are remarkably good,” Knight said.

Knight commended the school board, Wellness Council, physical education and cafeteria staff, classroom teachers and other staff members for their support of student health.